Shamar Joseph and Amy Hunter Crowned ICC Players of the Month for January 2024

International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month for January 2024. West Indies’ Shamar Joseph and Ireland’s Amy Hunter have been bestowed with this honour, marking their remarkable contributions to their respective teams in the past month.

Shamar Joseph: A Sensational Debut

Shamar Joseph’s ascent to cricketing stardom was nothing short of a fairytale. Making his debut for the West Indies during their Test series against Australia, Joseph not only made a memorable entrance but also left an indelible mark with his performance. Claiming the wicket of Steve Smith with his very first ball in international cricket, he set the tone for what was to come.

In Adelaide, Joseph’s first Test outing saw him taking five wickets, including those of cricketing stalwarts Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green. However, it was his spell in the second Test in Brisbane that cemented his place in cricketing folklore. With a line-up that boasted of aggression and precision, Joseph took seven wickets for 68 runs, leading the West Indies to a historic draw against Australia by narrowly defending a total of 216. This performance not only earned him the Player of the Series award but also the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, making him the first West Indian to achieve this feat since its inception in 2021.

Amy Hunter: Rising Star of Ireland

Amy Hunter, on the other hand, has been lighting up the women’s cricket stage with her explosive batting. Her performances in Ireland’s T20I series victory over Zimbabwe were nothing short of spectacular. Starting with a subdued ODI series, Hunter quickly shifted gears in the T20Is, showcasing her batting prowess with scores that included a stunning 101 not out off 66 balls in the first match, followed by 77 and 42 in subsequent games.

With a strike rate of 144.73 across the T20I series, Hunter not only helped Ireland secure a series win but also etched her name as the first Irish player to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award since Arlene Kelly in August 2023.